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Latest
News
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PCS Proud Seminar 2008
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See
the National Events page for details and application form:
National
Events
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TUC LGBT Conference 2008 Report
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PCS/PCS
Proud had 12 represenatatives at the 2008 TUC LGBT Conference. This is
Richard Jones's report of the event.
TUC
LGBT Conference 2008 report (MS Word document)
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| Proud Basic Training (Stage 1) |
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PROUD BASIC TRAINING
(Stage 1) Venue King’s Hotel Brighton
17th-19th October 2008
This
two-day course is designed for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &
Transgender members of PCS who have not previously attended training on
sexuality issues. The event is run by PCS Proud but is open to all LGBT
PCS members. The event will allow individuals to discuss &
exchange experiences, identify sources of discrimination and support
and develop strategies for dealing with discrimination in the
workplace. This and discussions around ‘coming out’
should help to increase the self-confidence of those attending. The
course also looks at existing legislation that protects LGBT people at
work.
For an application form e-mail: Marcus.Ford@HMRC.GSI.GOV.UK
Closing date for applications 15/09/2008
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| Census 2011 - Action needed! |
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Dear
all
As part of our campaign to get sexuality questions included on the 2011
census, I have produced the attached letter for you to send to your MP.
For those on the mailing list who are not LGBT, you will need to amend
the penultimate paragraph.
I urge you all to take action, either by old-fashioned letter or on
line via www.writetothem.com
Download the
letter here...
Jeff
Grist
Chair, Proud
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| Latest on Goods & Services |
This
has just come through from the TUC.
Dear
All,
I expect everyone will have seen the reports on TV and in the papers on
the outcome of the goods and services debate. The Government has
confirmed that there will be no exemptions for religious adoption
agencies - although Catholic agencies will be given around 20 months to
adjust. This "transitional period" was the idea being floated when the
TUC delegation met Ruth Kelly a week ago. The Minister telephoned
Brendan Barber yesterday to explain the decision. In response, the TUC
issued a brief media release (availabe on the TUC website
www.tuc.org.uk) welcoming it.
The regulations will come into force as expected in April. We still do
not have the text but the DCLG statement (attached along with the two
ministerial statements) conveys what will be the contents. As you see,
the same exemptions for what is taught in faith schools etc remain, but
this is a separate discussion, and the harassment provisions will not
be copied across from the NI version - however, this was expected, as
the Government mean to do them better in the Single Equality
legislation. I want to thank everyone for your tremendous efforts to
secure this victory - and have no doubt about it, it is a victory. Even
a few years ago, it would have been inconceivable that a position
favoured both by the PM and the responsible Secretary of State - on lgb
rights - would have been overturned by the resistance of other cabinet
ministers. The campaign in Parliament itself was clearly crucial, but
we all played an important part both in making direct representations,
and in mobilising and stiffening the resistance among MPs. The
principle of equality was the foundation of this campaign and the
argument was won.
Govt Sexual Orientation and Religion and
Faith Regulations.doc
Peter
Purton
Policy Officer, Disability, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Rights
Equality & Employment Rights Department, TUC tel. 020 7467 1271
email ppurton@tuc.org.uk
Visit
the website www.tuc.org.uk/changingtimes
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| 2006 Seminar 'slides' |
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The
Powerpoint presentations used at this year's seminar are available on
the Features page.
Click here...
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| DCA Group LGBT Advisory Group |
Are
you a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgendered (LGBT) Member who
works for the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA)?
Are
you interested in getting more involved in your union’s
campaigns?
Then you might be just who we are looking for!
We
are looking for union members who are keen to have their say about the
campaigns that our union runs in the DCA and are willing to join the
Group LGBT Advisory Committee.
Whether
you have been involved in union activities before or would simply like
to have an input into key campaigns that LGBT members in the DCA think
are important either talk to a branch rep about putting your name
forward for the Committee or contact:
Jack
Papasavva, Negotiations Officer
jackp@pcs.org.uk
020 7801 2625.
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| PCS PROUD AND RESPECT |
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Many
of you will have seen recent articles in our magazine regarding
concerns we as a group have with Respect. These articles have generated
quite a heated debate, both in support and against our action.
As
the chair of Proud, I want to set the record straight as to how we have
got to where we are on this issue
1.
Geoff Webb as a member of Proud wrote an article for our magazine
highlighting concerns he had with Respect. This article was in response
to internet research and also personal attendance at related events.
2. The Officers of Proud discussed the article and agreed that
Geoff’s concerns should be investigated further by Proud as a
PCS equality group looking after the interest of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Trangender members.
3. I was instructed by the Officers to contact Janice Godrich to
establish how we should take this forward.
4. I approached Janice at the Senior Lay Officers event in Leeds where
she suggested that we put our concerns in writhing to her.
5. Geoff Webb was asked to write the letter to Janice on behalf of
Proud.
6. The National Committee of Proud debated the issue and it was agreed
that we should pursue answers to our concerns.
7. The National Committee instructed me to produce a second article for
our magazine to advise members of our progress. This article purely
repeated extracts from the letter sent to Janice by Geoff.
Our
pursuance of this issue has been debated by our democratically elected
National Committee. No one present at our meetings voiced opposition or
concern.
On
a personal note, both Geoff and I are considering what action, if any
we will be taking against those who have chosen to accuse us, in
writing, of being racist. Those of you who know us, and know of our
long history in campaigning in all areas of equality will, I am sure
know that this is not the case.
Jeff
Grist
PCS Proud Chair
21/08/06
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| Stonewall Trustees |
Proud have revieved this email from Stonewall and
we wanted to pass it on to Proud members...
"I hope you don't mind us contacting you.
Stonewall is currently advertising for up to three new trustees. We
hope you'll be kind enough to pass this e-mail to anyone you think
might be interested either in applying or passing on this note
themselves to their own networks.
As
you know, Stonewall has campaigned successfully for lesbian and gay
equality across Britain since 1989. We now work in a range of other
areas from employment to education.
Stonewall
has always succeeded in achieving an equal number of men and women on
its board and is keen to continue this. Black and minority ethnic
people are currently under-represented and we particularly welcome
applications from them. Appointments will be made on merit.
Trustee
application packs can be downloaded from www.stonewall.org.uk
or are available from sam.dick@stonewall.org.uk
or on 020 7593 1851.
Stonewall
has only secured its past successes by engaging with a very wide range
of individuals from various communities. We hope you will encourage
diverse candidates to consider joining our board as a trustee.
Best
wishes
David Isaac (Chair)"
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| Help request! |
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One
of our members has written with the following plea...
"I
have been asked by my local area's LGB Forum to make a draft of our LGB
history for all of the county’s Secondary schools.
Basically
do you know of any one that has made a LGB history (for lgb history
month) of their region so that I can use the format etc as a template"
If
anyone has compiled such a document, could they get in touch with Jeff
Grist (Proud Chair) on Jeff.GRIST@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
or 0776 974 1819
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| New PCS Proud magazine uploaded |
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Get
your hands on the brand spanking new PCS Proud magazine here...
(PDF)
Back
issues available here...
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| New PCS Proud online shop |
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Looking
for that perfect present? Ever wanted to be proud about Proud? Want a
snazzy new mug? Now you can have all these at the new PCS Proud online
shop (or should that be boutique?)...
Visit
www.cafepress.com/pcsproud for the
full range of t-shirts, mugs, bags, coasters and hats available.
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| New Online Forum |
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After
months of scratching my head, and inapropriate language directed at my
computer, the PCS Proud Forum is now live!
Click here...
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| Publicity drive for gay partnerships
launched |
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The
government has launched a publicity drive on civil partnerships, in a
bid to let same-sex couples have access to all the information needed.
The
campaign was launched by Deputy Equality Minister Meg Munn, and will
tackle accusations aimed at the government that awareness of the new
laws is still low.
Guidance
and more information about registering for civil partnerships and what
couples who do can expect will be were released on Friday 16th
September.
Click here for the online
information, which includes booklets, flyers and guides available to
download (in PDF format) as well as as an FAQ section.
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| NEW "WHAT'S NEW?" PAGE ADDED |
As
some new features seem to be be getting missed, I've added a new page
listing updates / new pages etc. Hope this helps... simply click here!
Davey x |
| New Feature - Daily News Headlines |
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A
new feature has been added to the 'News' section - a daily feed of the
latest LGBT headlines courtesy of UK.Gay.com
Click
here for more... (opens new window)
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New PCS Proud Women's Group.
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In our efforts to
address all underrepresented groups within PROUD, the National
Committee has agreed to the setting up of a Women's section
as set out in the PROUD constitution. To that end, a network has been
established for women members of PROUD, to look at ways of improving
representation for women and encouraging women to be more pro-active
within the group and within the union. If you would like your name and
contact details to be to be included on the list of contacts to take
part in discussions and possible future activities, please contact:
Clare Bat Or, PCS PROUD Women's Officer,
on 01253
667 838 or EMAIL
HERE.
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Message for all Black Members from Jay
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Looking into the Future for black members.
We
need to know where you are to keep you in contact with Events and what
is going on with the Black members – this part of the Group
includes all ethnic minorities – please contact us with your
details to:
dave@pcsproud.org.uk
or jaylee1814@hotmail.com
we do not want you to be left out.
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"Pink
& Pinkish Waterholes of the East Midlands" now downloadable
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The
PDF version of Dave
Shaw's Pink & Pinkish Waterholes of the East Midlands
bar guide is now available to download here.*
*
To open this file, you need Adobe Reader. If you don't already have it
on your computer (and why not!) you can get Get Adobe Reader here.
(a
free download).
To download the file, right click on the link and select "save target
as".
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Revised version of "Our Story" uploaded 26/01/05.
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To
coincide with LGBT Month in February 2005, Andy Stuart, PCS Proud
Editor has produced an LGBT history booklet.
The
more eagle eyed amongst you will have already seen the original tucked
away in the features pages, and it has had a staggering 3458 hits this
month alone! (figure correct on 26/01/05)
"Our
Story" is available to download here
(in PDF format). This is a revised and updated version (26/01/05). To
print a copy in it's correct format, set your printer to "double
sided", "print both sides" etc.
Copies
of the booklet will be sent to all Proud members shortly.
For
more information about LGBT History Month, visit: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk.
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